Advice and Tools
For every step of your Ostomy Journey
SASS aims to advocate and align the standard of Stoma care and services across South Africa which will be applicable to both the private and public sectors.
Ostomy Care
Tips and Tricks
The South African Society of Stomates (SASS) is a Non-profit organization formed by Ostomates across Southern Africa to facilitate a “holistic” approach to ostomy patient care by bridging the gap between the private and public sectors whilst advocating for the rights of fellow ostomates throughout the country.
SASS VALUE STATEMENT
SASS is dedicated to advocating for the rights and well-being of ostomates across South Africa. We strive to bridge the gap between private and public healthcare sectors, ensuring that all ostomates receive the highest standard of care.
Our mission is to provide comprehensive support, education, and resources to empower ostomates and their families, helping them navigate their new normal with confidence and dignity. By collaborating closely with clinicians and healthcare professionals, we ensure that our community receives expert care and guidance.
Aligning with global standards set by The International Ostomy Association (IOA), we aim to foster a community where every ostomate feels supported, informed, and valued.
Featured Topics
For Living with a Colostomy, Ileostomy or Urostomy
Help us achieve
What we set out to achieve with YOUR help
GET EDUCATED
Medically reviewed surgery-specific information. Making sure you have access to the best possible care. Ostomy pouch management tips, diet & nutrition, skincare, sexuality, travel tips and more!
FEEL SUPPORTED
Support to you & your family whilst you transition into your new normal. You will have access to a local peer support group, where you can get answers to questions, or connect with our Facebook community.
BE AN ADVOCATE
We aim to advocate the standard of Stoma care across private and public sectors, whilst aligning with the global standards set out by The International Ostomy Association (IOA).
Surgery may save a life. Rehabilitation helps people live it.
Recovery doesn`t end when a patient leaves the operating theatre.
For people living with a stoma, recovery is measured by the moments that matter most:
👶 Picking up a grandchild again.
💼 Returning to work with confidence.
🏃 Running or playing sport.
🌿 Enjoying the outdoors.
😊 Laughing without fear.
❤️ Feeling like themselves again.
These milestones don`t happen by chance. They are made possible through the expertise of rehabilitation professionals working as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Whether you`re a Physiotherapist, Biokineticist, Occupational Therapist or another Rehabilitation Professional, your role extends far beyond movement. You help people rebuild strength, confidence, independence and quality of life.
Join us at SASS2026 as rehabilitation specialists, surgeons, stoma nurses, dietitians, psychologists and other healthcare professionals come together to advance multidisciplinary ostomy care.
📅 2–3 October 2026
📍 DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, Woodstock, Cape Town
Conference & Registration Information: www.sass2026.co.za
Because recovery takes more than surgery. It takes a multidisciplinary team.
#SASS2026 #Physiotherapy #Biokinetics #OccupationalTherapy #Rehabilitation #MultidisciplinaryCare #OstomyCare #StomaCare #HealthcareProfessionals #Recovery #ComplexWounds #StrongerTogether
"Sr Dhashna gave our family more than care,she gave us confidence." ❤️
When your 3-year-old child needs a stoma, everything feels overwhelming.
That was our reality until we met Sr Dhashna.
From the very beginning, she patiently taught me how to care for my son`s stoma, answering every question with kindness, compassion and reassurance. She never made me feel alone.
One moment I will never forget was when my son`s stoma bag kept leaking. I was exhausted and frightened that I was doing something wrong.
Sr Dhashna calmly assessed his needs, found the appliance that suited him best, and carefully showed me how to manage it. Suddenly something that had seemed impossible became something I knew I could do.
Her support didn`t end when we left the hospital. She continued to make herself available whenever we needed advice, encouragement or simply someone to listen.
Today, because of her dedication, my little boy can simply be a little boy.
That is why I am proudly nominating Sr Dhashna for the SASS Stoma Nurse Excellence Awards 2026.
Thank you for changing not only my son`s life, but our family`s future. 💙
Nominate your Stoma Nurse today
sasstomates.org.za/stoma-nurse-awards/
#SASS2026 #StomaNurseExcellenceAwards #ThankYouNurses #StrongerTogether
Last chance to nominate.
We invite patients, families, colleagues and healthcare professionals to help us recognise the nurses who make a real difference.
If a stoma nurse has made an impact on your life, now is the time to say thank you.
Nominate a deserving stoma nurse today:
sasstomates.org.za/stoma-nurse-awards
Together, let`s celebrate the professionals who help ostomates navigate one of life`s most challenging journeys with confidence and dignity.
#StomaNurseExcellenceAwards #SASS #StomaNurse #OstomyCare #NursingExcellence #PatientCare #HealthcareHeroes #CompassionInCare #StomaTherapy #SouthAfrica
What an incredible two days at **Heart 4 the Wounded 2026**! ❤️🩹
It was a privilege for @sasstomates to attend this inspiring multidisciplinary event at the CSIR International Convention Centre on 23–24 July 2026, where science, compassion and purpose came together to make a difference in wound care and patient outcomes.
As a Partner Organisation, SASS was proud to be part of this wonderful gathering of more than 130 delegates, healthcare professionals, colleagues and industry partners. We loved the opportunity to showcase our work, connect with old friends, meet new colleagues and share our passion for improving the lives of people living with a stoma.
A special thank you to everyone who visited our SASS stand, supported our mission and took the time to connect with us. It was wonderful to see so many passionate people working together to advance wound and ostomy care in South Africa.
From Heather White and Sr Jolanda – thank you for making Heart 4 the Wounded 2026 such a memorable experience! 🌟
Together, we truly can Be the Difference. ❤️🩹
#SASS #SouthAfricanSocietyOfStomates #Heart4TheWounded2026 #OstomyCare #StomaCare WoundCare PatientCentredCare BeTheDifference HealthcareProfessionals MultidisciplinaryCare
Nominations are closing soon...
We invite patients, families, colleagues and healthcare professionals to help us recognise the nurses who make a real difference.
If a stoma nurse has made an impact on your life, now is the time to say thank you.
Nominate a deserving stoma nurse today:
sasstomates.org.za/stoma-nurse-awards
Together, let`s celebrate the professionals who help ostomates navigate one of life`s most challenging journeys with confidence and dignity.
#StomaNurseExcellenceAwards #SASS #StomaNurse #OstomyCare #NursingExcellence #PatientCare #HealthcareHeroes #CompassionInCare #StomaTherapy #SouthAfrica
Every ostomate story matters.
Every voice matters.
Too many ostomates remain unseen, unsupported and uncounted. SASSLink is helping change that.
Better support starts with understanding the needs of ALL ostomates — across both state and private healthcare.
By registering, you help:
• Build visibility for ostomates in South Africa
• Strengthen awareness and support
• Help improve understanding of ostomate needs
• Support better care for future ostomates
Registration is free, secure and takes only 2 minutes.
Be counted. Be represented.
Register now: sasslink.co.za/register
#SASSLink #BeCounted #OstomyCare #StomaCare #PatientAdvocacy #SouthAfrica
🎙️ Missed our interview on KC107.7? The full conversation is now available to listen on demand.
It was a privilege for Sr Jolanda Janse van Noordwyk, Conference Chairperson of SASS2026, and Faizel Jacobs, Chairperson of SASS, to join Grant Johnson on KC107.7`s Goed Doen Dinsdag to discuss life with a stoma, the importance of multidisciplinary ostomy care, and why raising awareness matters.
A sincere thank you to Grant Johnson, Suhail Gouws, and the entire KC107.7 team for providing a platform to amplify the voices of both healthcare professionals and people living with a stoma. Every conversation helps educate the public, reduce stigma and ensure that no one has to navigate their ostomy journey alone.
During the interview, we discussed:
💙 Why living with a stoma should never define a person`s future—it often gives someone a second chance at life.
👩⚕️ The invaluable role stoma nurses play in restoring confidence, providing education and supporting patients through every stage of their journey.
🏆 The SASS Stoma Nurse Excellence Awards 2026, celebrating the extraordinary healthcare professionals who make a lasting difference in the lives of people living with a stoma.
🤝 How SASS2026 is bringing healthcare professionals together to strengthen multidisciplinary collaboration, share knowledge and improve patient outcomes.
Every conversation helps challenge stigma, build understanding and remind people living with a stoma that they are never alone.
🎧 Listen to the full interview here:
https://iono.fm/e/1696983
If this conversation resonates with you, please share it. Every share helps raise awareness, celebrate excellence in healthcare and advocate for equitable ostomy care across South Africa.
Stronger Together.
#SASS #StomaAwareness #OstomyAwareness #PatientAdvocacy #NursingExcellence HealthcareHeroes SASS2026 StrongerTogether LivingWithAStoma
Have you submitted your nomination yet?
We invite patients, families, colleagues and healthcare professionals to help us recognise the nurses who make a real difference.
If a stoma nurse has made an impact on your life, now is the time to say thank you.
Nominate a deserving stoma nurse today:
sasstomates.org.za/stoma-nurse-awards
Together, let`s celebrate the professionals who help ostomates navigate one of life`s most challenging journeys with confidence and dignity.
#StomaNurseExcellenceAwards #SASS #StomaNurse #OstomyCare #NursingExcellence #PatientCare #HealthcareHeroes #CompassionInCare #StomaTherapy #SouthAfrica
SASS Blog
What has been happening at SASS
SASS Stoma Nurse Excellence Awards 2026
Honouring Nurses Who Change Lives Behind every ostomate’s journey is often a nurse who made an impossible moment feel manageable.A nurse who provided dignity during uncertainty.A nurse who offered reassurance, compassion, education, and hope. The SASS Stoma Nurse Excellence Awards were created to recognise and celebrate stoma nurses who go above and beyond in supporting […]
SASS2026 Conference: Multidisciplinary Ostomy Care Conference in South Africa
The South African Society of Ostomates (SASS) will host the SASS2026 Conference at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cape Town, bringing together healthcare professionals involved in the care and rehabilitation of people living with a stoma. The conference is designed as a multidisciplinary clinical platform, supporting knowledge-sharing across nursing, physiotherapy, biokinetics, dietetics, occupational therapy, and […]
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